Question:
Is Sahih Muslim Hadith 1471 strong or weak? And explain the concept of the Quran interceding for us with Allahﷻ. That is, in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1470 (or 1471), there is a narration.
What does it say? “Recite the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions (those who recite it).” The Quran will intercede for those who recited it. There are many such narrations. His doubt is specifically regarding this portion. What is his doubt? How can the Quran intercede? Is the Quran a sentient being? It is just a sound, isn’t it? How can it intercede?
Answer:
Generally, regarding the setup of the Hereafter, there are certain aspects where you cannot think based on worldly logic. Allahﷻ says that hands will speak. Can a hand speak with its mouth? It cannot, but in the Hereafter, Allahﷻ says it will speak. How can a hand speak? Does it have a brain?
We cannot question like that. Allahﷻ says He will seal their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn. If hands and feet can speak, then why doubt the Quran speaking? You could have the same doubt about hands and feet. Can hands and feet speak? They may have movements, but how can they speak? Not only hands and feet, Allahﷻ says their skins will speak. He says, “Why did you testify against us?” They will reply, “Allahﷻ, who has made everything speak, has made us speak.” This is in the Quran.
Based on that, the Quran is not a human, nor is it a living creature. The Quran is a spiritual scripture. The sound itself is the Quran. When I recite “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen,” that is the Quran. If Allahﷻ wills, He can give a form to it. If Allahﷻ wills, on the Day of Resurrection, He will give a form to the Quran that you recited, and it will intercede with Allahﷻ.
Why does Allahﷻ do this? He does it to demonstrate His power, so that you recite the Quran in this world. If you recite it, I will make that Quran speak on your behalf. If Allahﷻ wills, He can make it speak. We believe that Allahﷻ will resurrect the dead on the Day of Resurrection, those who have become nothing. So, in matters of faith, we should not question this. If it relates to Allahﷻ’s power and capability, we do not need to ask “how” regarding this. Allahﷻ took a covenant from us.
When did He take it? He had only created Adam (peace be upon him) at that time. He had not created all of us yet. At that time, Allahﷻ extracted from Adam all his descendants who would come until the Day of Judgment. He extracted them from his back and said, “Am I not your Lord?” Allahﷻ asked.
All of us said, “Yes, we bear witness.” We were present there. Is it possible to extract from one man all the people who will come until the Day of Judgment? You and I cannot do that. Is it impossible for Allahﷻ?
When it pertains to Allahﷻ, we say, we speak based on faith: Allahﷻ is over all things, All-Powerful. Our deeds will also testify. How will deeds testify? Our prayer will come and testify. All our actions will testify. Allahﷻ will make all these things, even immaterial things, speak. If it is for humans to believe, He gives form to things so they can believe.
For that purpose, He gives a form to the Quran and makes it say, “I am the Quran, he used to recite me.” This is an act of Allahﷻ showing His power. We should not doubt this. Do not include this in the list of hadiths that contradict the Quran. Matters related to the Hereafter and faith have no contradiction.
If Allahﷻ wills, it will happen there. In the Hereafter, on the Day of Judgment, anything can happen. If there is evidence, we can state it.